Commencement Address to the Fifth Unification Theological Seminary Graduating Class - Original Document

of the graduating· class my sincere ccngratulations on this joyful occasion

and ceremony on this 27th day of June, 1981. I also wistt to extend my con-

gratulations to your parents, your tea~hers, and to the administration and

staff of the Serainary, without \./hose bchind-tho::-sc1::n1=: s co(l}.Jl:!rai.ion c.rn1 w•.::Li,

it would not have been possible to have an academic cel~bration like thi3

I regret that I am unable to attend the graduation cer<?.Il’~:,y, b<?~!’\g en-

gaged in in-po~ant work to advance the Providence here, but I will miss all

of you very much. Your President, Mr. Davids. C. Kim, personally appeale1

to me many tlmes and thro_u gh several communication routes to attend today.

But .i:t i:s not his lack of ability nor his failure to persuade mo? tl~at keeps

1ne away; ra.the.r it is the higher priority of God’s dispensational plans for

the entire European contin~nt.

As you may recall, in the early months of this year, I announced publ i..cly

that my heavenly mi5sicn to the t~re~ nation;:; of Kor.::a, Japo.r., ar.d especiall~•

the nation of America - had been complet~d as of April 20, 1981 according to

God’s schedule. This mission can be deficribed as my three 7-year or 21-year

course; dating from Holy Matrimony in 1960. Also, you may recall my announce-

ment that r.iembers of the Church fflUSt go thrc_u gh their own three 7-yt!!ar courses

patterned after nry own, in order to bui:-ld God’s Kingdom. Detailed instructions

were g.tven a~ to what to do and “w’hen to begin, but leaving the rest to your own

responsibility and mission. With. th~ bl mi’nd, please do not be disi\ppointed

by ‘111.”;{ al::,sence from your graduation today,

On this happy and joyous occasion I would like to share some t hc·Jghts

with you graduates on the tl:e..me and motto: “Be unconditional givers i:L7d ::; ~c ri-

fi ce rs for others.” Do you know that a di spe nsational mi s sion has been ~ive n to

the nation of America by God since its beginning 200 years ago? In God’s eyes

America represents all the free nations of the world; so on L~is victori cus found-

ation this nation must overcome 3 serious problen.s:

l) Stop the spread or Communism, an atheistic ideology which is the

greatest thre3t to t..~e whole world,

2) Bring about a revival of declining Christianity,

3) and, based on its traditional Judeo-christian ethics, America

must prevent the decay of morality, especially of the young people.

At this critical juncture in the history cf this nation, Unification

people have assumed these crucial and unfinished tasks. Si~ce America is failing

to solve these problems, God expects dedicated young people like your~e lves to be

responsible for them. You graduates are now chosen from among many Unificationists

to be leaders of the world and to assume these most difficult missions that I have

mentioned. During your two or three year program here in the Seminary, you have

become more educated and trained than other members. In light of this excellent

education and training, you must be more serious and responsible than others, and,

because you are potential leaders for the future, you must then take responsibility

for America and the world. You have assumed this noble responsibility from Heaven

as chosen members of the Unification Church Movement.

Education should not only be theoretical, but must also include the working

out and testing of theories in practical living and experience, so that those

theories may be ·assessed for their validity and practicality. With this direction

in mind you must lead the nation of America and t.’le world.

In light of these remarks, let us examine what was wror,g in the past,

from a provice ntial point of view, with America’s help and material assis~ance

for minority, underprivilege d and have-not nations. It is true that in the pa s t

America did help many nations and underdeveloped countries with abundant materials

and substances, in order to promote the welfare of those nations and peoples. How-

ever, in helping them, America had its own interests and concerns in mind which

were not based on God’s expectations for America. Therefore, when America’s own - . interests or c-oncerns vanished, for whatever reason, the assistance to those

nations or peoples ceased. God’s fundamental desire in blessing America for 200

years is that Anerica help other nations and peoples, sacrificially and uncondi-

tionally, without any need for excuses and reasons. Both in the past and in the

present,Aroerica has failed to do God’s will in this area. God has blessed America

unconditionally with material abundance, and in turn, America should give thos~

blessings unconditionally to needy nations throughout the world.

But this is precisely the way in which America is failing God’s will, and

because of this failure America is no longer qualified in the eyes of God to be a

leader of other nations. Giving help and assistanc~ with a spirit of sacrifice

and in an unconditional way are the very key elements that must be present in order

for America to receive God’s blessing continually.

The other point that I would like to make is the necessity of a new order

and a new leading system of thought in the-contemporary world. In Korean we call

it “Ju-chei Sasang,” which can be translated: “The most influential ideology and

thought.” This thought is needed for the nations of the world,~- The Unification

Olurch Movement is working to accelerate the development of this new order and new

system of thought through the Unification Principle. You are the very messengers

of this nev movement. Be proud of yourselves because of t..”iis mission; it is a

special gift from Heaven. Why not enjoy it, use it, spread it, and multiply it

throughout the nations, the world, and even the universe and cosmos. Go to the ; ends of the globe and even to eternity with thfs new me s s2.ge. Go with the spirit

of “an unconditional giver and sacrificer” for others and for the Provide nce.

In a few days you will be enrolled in a special training session, lasting

throughout the summer, for the purpose of shaping your educational tools and

~piritual weapons before you go out to the front li~e. Leiving aside all academic

pride, humble yourselves and adjust to your new environment.

- I wish you the best of luck and great success in wh.:ite·J’er missio:1s are

ahead of you. Once more, rr:y deepest and most heartfelt congratulations to all

of you. Thank you all very much.